Nazis in Tel-Aviv: The Culture War Goes On

by Charles Lenchner · 2009-02-19 23:01:00 UTC
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This first came to my attention a few days ago, but I couldn't do anything with it as it was entirely in Hebrew and a bit hard to explain. But someone has done a version in English - so here goes:

Der Untergang is the excellent German film about Hitler's last days. Very dramatic. For some hard to explain reason, numerous people have taken bits of the film and added subtitles that tell a different story. If you speak German, this makes no sense; but most parts of the world hear the German, comprehending nothing but the tone of voice, while reading the text below.

Fade to Tel-Aviv. One of the perennial issues is the difficulty of securing a parking spot, and the impotent rage of those who got a parking ticket as a result.  And so we have 'Hitler Looks for a Parking Spot':

The YouTube account that posted this clip is '2 debillim' which can be translated as '2 idiots.' They warn viewers upfront: "Be advised that some of the jokes and content are, obviously, context-driven - and might be less relatable or understandable for people who have never been to Tel Aviv..." Translation: Some people really are offended.

As Ha'aretz reports, "Noah Flug, the chairman of the Center of Organizations of Holocaust Survivors and a survivor of Mauthausen concentration camp, sent a letter to YouTube demanding that the clip be removed due to its sensitivity." This reminds one of a similar incident years ago when a South Park episode was not aired because of concerns that some jokes might not, er, play well to certain audiences.

My take is: this is a hilarious and revealing send up of Tel-Aviv life, warts and all. Tel-Aviv residents really do get worked up about parking.... Just don't take this as an excuse to bring up the Holocaust everytime someone suggests that the Palestinians deserve a state....

Charles Lenchner
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